KLL News

2011 Scholarship Awarded to Kansas Teens from Leavenworth, Lenexa and Dodge City

Scholarships provide assistance to children who have lost a parent to cancer.

The Overland Park-based Kelly Lynn Lutz Foundation is pleased to announce that in its third annual scholarship program the Foundation recognized three deserving Kansas teens. The scholarship, which provides college tuition assistance to children who have lost a parent to cancer, expanded its award program in 2011 to include one $1500 award renewable for four years; one $1500 award renewable for two years; and one $750 award renewable for two years. Since its inception the KLL Foundation has helped seven young adults with tuition assistance.

“This year’s scholarship program was incredibly difficult for the KLL board to judge,” said Shane Lutz, president of the KLL Scholarship Foundation. “All the applicants were fantastic kids and we feel fortunate we had the means to expand our award and provide more than one award.”

Mr. Lutz and his family started the foundation following the death of his wife, Kelly, who lost her battle with breast cancer on May 9, 2008.

The first place scholarship for the 2011 scholarship was awarded to Emily Harper of Ft. Leavenworth, Kans. Ms. Harper is a 2011 graduate of Leavenworth High School and will receive a minimum of $1500 per year for the next four years. She lost her father to Gastro- Esophageal Cancer in July of 2007 and is pursuing a nursing degree at Otterbein University in Westerville, OH.

The second place scholarship was awarded to Kitrina Schuette who graduated from Dodge City High School in 2008. Ms. Schuette is entering her third year at Fort Hays State University where she is studying elementary education. She recently lost her mother to colon cancer and will receive a minimum of $1,500 for the next 2 years.

The third place scholarship was awarded to Stefani Parton, a recent graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School in Overland Park, Kans. Ms. Parton lost her grandfather and legal guardian to lung cancer in 2009 and is continuing her education by attending Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN. She will receive a minimum of $750 for the next 2 years.

“Our family started this scholarship so that we could continue to honor Kelly’s spirit by helping others affected by this deadly disease,” continued Mr. Lutz. “With just our third award now complete, all of us involved are proud to have been able to meet some great kids and provide some much needed help. We look forward to watching these kids as they move from college onto productive careers.”

To be eligible for the KLL Scholarship, recipients must meet the following criteria:
1. Lose at least one parent (biological or non) to cancer before the age of 22.
2. Be a US citizen.
3. Attend a 2- or 4-year (minimum) higher education establishment.
4. Have an interest in education, arts, environment, math, or science.
5. Show service involvement in the community, church, school, or other non-curricular activity.
6. Indicate financial need.
7. Submit the completed application, including personal essay and reference.

The primary scholarship is a $1,500 gift, renewable for up to a total of four years ($6,000 total maximum), and awarded annually. For renewal the receiver will be responsible to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale.

About the KLL Foundation
The Kelly Lynn Lutz Foundation was established to provide scholarships and financial assistance for students who lose a parent to cancer. Kelly was a loving wife and mother of two who earned her education degree from Kansas State University. She died May 9, 2008 after a 9 year battle with breast cancer.